WW1 Shell Case information

[Guest matt241]

Good afternoon

I am trying to do some research on a WW1 Shell Case that my Grandad has owned for a number of years.

He is not well enough to give me this information unfortunatley.

Here are a couple of pictures, it seems to be engraved with maybe Japanese/Chinese dragon.

Any information would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

[redbarchetta]

Hi Matt

What you have there is a piece of trench art decorated by a member of the Chinese Labour Corps, who worked during and after the war, ostensibly 'behind the lines' during the war and then they were largely responsible for clearing the surface debris off the battlefields in 1919. It is likely this was made in that post-war period, when they would decorate shell cases recovered in their clearance work and sell them to soldiers and battlefield tourists. The dragon is a relatively common theme, as it works well with wrapping round a cylindrical shell case.

CLC stuff is not too common though, so a nice souvenir.

James